You must specifically select young nurse bees that are actively tending to open brood. These bees have the highest infestation rate because Varroa mites congregate on them, waiting to enter mature larval cells before they are capped. Sampling from this specific location ensures your count accurately reflects the colony's true mite load.
The accuracy of your mite count depends entirely on consistency. Because Varroa mites target developing larvae, they are found in the highest concentrations on the nurse bees within the brood nest. Sampling bees from elsewhere in the hive will result in artificially low numbers and a false sense of security.
The Science Behind the Selection
Target the Nurse Bees
The most accurate sample comes from young nurse bees found on frames containing open brood. This is the specific demographic of the colony that cares for the developing larvae.
The Mite Lifecycle Connection
Phoretic-state Varroa mites—those currently attached to adult bees—do not distribute themselves randomly. They cluster on nurse bees to be near mature larvae, which allows them to easily enter the cell just before it is capped.
Consistency is Critical
If you sample foragers or bees from honey frames, you miss the population where the mites are hiding. To track infestation trends over time, you must consistently choose bees from the brood nest for every test.
Execution and Safety
Isolating the Queen
Before collecting any bees, you must find and isolate the queen. This is the most critical safety step, as accidentally killing the queen during an alcohol wash will significantly set back the colony.
Protecting the Queen
Once located, place the queen and her frame in a temporary nucleus (nuc) box or cage. If you cannot find the queen, you must not sample from the brood nest; however, be aware that sampling elsewhere reduces test accuracy.
Collection Methods
Once the queen is safe, select a frame of open brood. You can either shake the bees into a plastic tub and scoop a half-cup (approx. 300 bees) or gently slide a collection basket up the frame to gather the sample directly.
Common Pitfalls and Trade-offs
The "Outer Edge" Mistake
Some guidelines suggest taking bees from the outer edge of the brood area to avoid the queen. While this is safer if you cannot locate the queen, it is a significant trade-off that compromises accuracy.
False Negatives
Bees on the outer edges are often older foragers or food processors, which carry far fewer mites than nurse bees. Relying on these samples often yields a lower mite count than actually exists, potentially causing you to miss a treatment window.
Sample Size Precision
Ensure you collect a full sample of approximately 300 bees (typically a half-cup). Under-sampling makes the calculation difficult and renders the final percentage statistically unreliable.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To balance accuracy with colony safety, apply the following strategy:
- If your primary focus is Maximum Accuracy: Isolate the queen first, then sample nurse bees directly from a frame containing open brood to catch the highest concentration of mites.
- If your primary focus is Queen Safety (and you cannot find her): Select a frame away from the brood nest, but understand that your result will likely underestimate the true infestation level.
By consistently targeting the nurse bee population, you transform a simple count into a powerful diagnostic tool for colony health.
Summary Table:
| Sampling Factor | Best Practice (Target) | Common Pitfall (Avoid) |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Type | Young Nurse Bees | Older Foragers / Food Processors |
| Location | Frames with Open Brood | Outer Honey/Pollen Frames |
| Sample Size | ~300 Bees (1/2 Cup) | Small or Inconsistent Samples |
| Safety Step | Queen Isolation | Sampling without Locating Queen |
| Goal | High Accuracy & True Mite Load | Artificial Low Counts (False Security) |
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